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<p>The potential for sports on the continent to turn into the next foreign direct investments pull has been highlighted by the success of the basketball Africa league but what will it take for more sports investment on the continent? CNBC Africa caught up with the Co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA team and Aston Villa English Premier League Club, Wes Edens for more.</p>


Unlocking Africa’s Dynamic Possibilities through the AfCFTA

Wes Edens on the investment case for basketball in Africa

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<p>The inaugural Basketball Africa League comes to an end this weekend in Kigali. But the economic effects of the tournament that has drawn some of the big corporates will be felt for a long time, so what is the economic potential of the Basketball Africa League? CNBC Africa spoke to Masai Ujiri, President of the Toronto Raptors for more.</p>


Toronto Raptors President on the economic potential of the Basketball Africa League

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<p>It&#8217;s almost a week since, the historical basketball Africa league kicked off at the Kigali Arena. The landmark sports league is the first NBA sanctioned sports tournament outside north America and is seen as an economic boost for the sport on the continent, CNBC Africa spoke to the President Bal and VP NBA, Amadou Gallo Fall for more.</p>


Basketball Africa League President on what the tournament means for the continent

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<p>The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata says it is important that the government and private sector do not play lip service to the rule of law. With regards to the lack of citizen trust in the on-going state judicial panels investigating issues of police brutality, Akpata advised that it was too early to give up on the panels. He discussed this and more with CNBC Africa’s Esther Awoniyi.</p>


#LagosEconomicSummit2021: Olumide Akpata: NBA more insistent on respect for the rule of law

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<p>At the just-concluded 60th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mfon Usoro, Managing Partner of Paul Usoro and Co joined CNBC Africa’s Christy Cole to discuss how the bar is tackling gender-based issues in Nigeria.</p>


#NBA2020AGC: How the bar tackles gender-based issues in Nigeria

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<p>As conversations at the on-going 60th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association move from showcasing activities of the bar through the years, through the rule of law, to the executive order and democratic governance, Ayotola Jagun, Chief Compliance Officer and Company Secretary Oando and member of the technical committee on conference planning joined CNBC Africa&#8217;s Christy Cole to discuss the evolution of Nigeria&#8217;s judiciary &#8211; country relationship in the past year.</p>


#NBA2020AGC: Understanding the evolution of Nigeria’s judiciary-country relationship

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<p>Despite its challenges, Nigeria&#8217;s legal system is clearly willing to embrace digital technology. That&#8217;s according to Seun Abimbola, Partner at Prime Solutions and Chairman Legal section of the Nigerian Bar Association. CNBC Africa&#8217;s Christy Cole caught up with him on the side-lines of the 60th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association.</p>


#NBA2020AGC: Seun Abimbola on the readiness for the legal system to embrace digital technology

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<p>The Nigerian Bar Association has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020. The President penned his signatory to the Act just a few days before the 60th Annual General Conference of the NBA which began on Wednesday. Seni Adio, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Chairman of the NBA’s Section on Business Law joins CNBC Africa&#8217;s Kenneth Igbomor from the side-lines of the conference to discuss how the Bar can work for Businesses.</p>


#NBA2020AGC: NBA’s Adio on the importance of the rule of law & economic rights for businesses

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<p>In a bid to ‘Step Forward’ into the future, the Nigerian Bar Association will address some pertinent and topical issues for the well-being of the Bar and Nigeria at its 60th Annual General Conference. Akin Ajibola, Partner at Bola Ajibola and Co and the Chairman of the Content-Sub-Committee at this year&#8217;s NBA conference joins CNBC Africa’s Kenneth Igbomor to discuss the expected impact of the conference?</p>


#NBA2020AGC: Akin Ajibola on how Nigeria can shape its vision for the future

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<p>The 60th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association kicks today. Ahead of conversations and panel discussions much of which will hold virtually, Vice-Chair, finance and mobilisation Sub-committee of the conference, Uche Valentine Obi joined CNBC Africa&#8217;s Christy Cole to explore thoughts and central themes which the week-long conference hopes to address.</p>


#NBA2020AGC: Here’s what’s on the agenda at the NBA’s 60th Annual General Conference

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<p>This year’s Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association will host specialised sessions focusing on business law, legal practice, public interest, gender issues and young lawyers. It will also feature plenary sessions, on the State of the Nation and on the Rule of Law. As the conference kicks off, Konyin Ajayi, A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Chairman of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning of the NBA Conference joins CNBC Africa’s Kenneth Igbomor for this conversation.</p>


#NBA2020AGC: NBA’s Ajayi on the need to plan for the future beyond COVID-19

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<p>Ahead of the 60th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, George Etomi the Vice-Chairman of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning of the NBA Conference joins CNBC Africa’s Kenneth Igbomor to discuss the theme of this year’s event and what to expect.</p>


George Etomi on what to expect from NBA’s 60th Annual General Conference


<p>Report by Tom Huddleston Jr.</p>



<p>Many people dream of throwing out the first pitch at the World Series or suiting up for a real NBA game. Now, a new charity challenge that’s already recruited the likes of Mark Cuban, Tom Brady and comedian Kevin Hart is offering numerous reasons to look forward to a post-coronavirus world where a few lucky winners could actually make those dreams come true.</p>



<p>And it’s part of a contest that’s raising at least $100 million to provide food for children, the elderly and frontline health workers amid the <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">ongoing coronavirus pandemic</a>.  </p>



<p>Michael Rubin, the billionaire e-commerce CEO and co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, unveiled the “All In Challenge” on Tuesday. The virtual fundraising challenge is offering dozens of highly desirable experiences — from a one-day contract with Cuban’s Dallas Mavericks to a role in comedian Hart’s next movie.</p>



<p>The All In Challenge had already raised nearly $2.8 million for five charities — Meals on Wheels, No Kid Hungry, America’s Food Fund, World Central Kitchen and Feeding America — as of Wednesday afternoon.</p>



<p>Participants have the option of buying tickets to enter drawings to win certain prizes or competing in auctions to buy other experiences.</p>



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<p>For example, $10 will buy you 10 entries into a contest to win a one-day contract with Cuban’s Mavericks that will allow the winner to suit up and sit on Dallas’ bench during an actual NBA game, be a part of the team’s layup line at game time, and even shoot a free throw during the game. (Entrants can pay more for more entries, with $100 getting you 200 entries, though there is a limit of 1,000 entries per person.)</p>



<p>Cuban confirmed his involvement in the charity challenge in a Twitter post on Tuesday in which the billionaire also challenged Michael Jordan and Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer to join the All In Challenge by donating their own experiences.</p>



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<p>The All In Challenge website notes that new contests and prizes will be added to the charity challenge every day as more and more celebrities and athletes join the effort.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Entrants can also buy drawing tickets at the same prices to win chances to throw out the first pitch at the next World Series, play in the NBA’s All-Star Celebrity Game, win a walk-on role in the next movies from comedian Hart or Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese, or even have pop star Justin Bieber come to your house to serenade you with his song “One Less Lonely Girl.”</p>



<p>Meanwhile, other celebrities and superstar athletes have donated experiences that the charity challenge will auction off to the highest bidder. Those include a private workout or dinner with NFL quarterback Tom Brady and an invitation to attend the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first home game of the upcoming season. Bidding for that item starts at $50,000, while you’ll need at least $200,000 to bid in an auction for rapper Meek Mill’s 2018 Rolls Royce Phantom.</p>



<p>Other experiences being auctioned off include a batting lesson with former MLB All-Star Alex Rodriguez or a round of golf and dinner with former NFL star Peyton Manning (the opening bid for both is $50,000).&nbsp;</p>



<p>In a video posted to Twitter, Brady announced his involvement in the charity challenge. “I would like to donate a once-in-a-lifetime experience to bring you and some friends down to Tampa Bay for our first home game,” Brady said in the video, in which he also invited his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, rapper Drake and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to join the All In Challenge by donating their own experiences.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I accept the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLINCHALLENGE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLINCHALLENGE</a>. Watch the video &amp; go to <a href="https://t.co/bRtYgf65MS">https://t.co/bRtYgf65MS</a> to get involved. I challenge my wife <a href="https://twitter.com/giseleofficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@giseleofficial</a>, my buddy <a href="https://twitter.com/Drake?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@drake</a> &amp; YOU <a href="https://twitter.com/nflcommish?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nflcommish</a> to go ALL IN! <a href="https://t.co/QDeBNEM0rf">pic.twitter.com/QDeBNEM0rf</a></p>&mdash; Tom Brady (@TomBrady) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomBrady/status/1250401456466911234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>“Let’s all make a positive impact on the world and do our part during this very, very difficult time,” Brady said.</p>



<p>Of course, with all major sporting events canceled for the foreseeable future, many Americans are just dreaming of the day when they can simply watch their favorite team compete in person, or at least on live television. (For example, some health experts don’t expect sporting events with fans in attendance will happen until the fall of 2021.) Production on Hollywood projects, like movies and TV shows, have also been temporarily halted amid bans on large gatherings of people.</p>



<p>Still, the All In Challenge is offering contestants a chance to dream big about one day fulfilling their wishes of stepping on an MLB pitching mound, palling around with their favorite athlete, or acting alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro in a Scorsese movie. (The fine print on the All In Challenge website notes that, for most of these prizes, “prize delivery time will be mutually agreed upon and determined at a later date when it is safe to do so.”)</p>



<p>“I believe when the world faces a crisis, businesses and sports have an obligation to step up and make a difference,” the organizer, Rubin, said in a statement regarding the All In Challenge. The 48-year-old Rubin is a former college dropout who built an e-commerce empire and now boasts an estimated net worth of $2.9 billion, according to Forbes. </p>



<p>According to the challenge’s website on Fanatics.com, the online sportswear retailer run by Rubin’s company Kynetic, 100% of all funds raised will go to the five aforementioned charities.</p>



<p>Technically, entrants don’t have to donate any money to enter the drawings, as there are links on each contest page allowing you to enter for free. However, the challenge website notes that participants should “keep in mind that there are a lot of people struggling with food insecurity who need our help.”</p>



<p>“We encourage you to donate any amount possible, big or small, to help ensure others don’t go hungry.”</p>



<p>Even before the coronavirus pandemic, tens of millions of Americans struggled with hunger, according to Feeding America. Now, school closures across the U.S., and the fact that millions of Americans have lost their jobs in recent weeks, have exacerbated the issue further and caused food banks across the country to be overrun with people seeking emergency food supplies. </p>



<p>Participants can already enter the contests and auctions that have already been announced on the All In Challenge website, though more prizes will be added in the coming days. Final dates for entry vary by contest.</p>



<p>This article was first published on CNBC Make It <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/15/mark-cuban-tom-brady-join-all-in-challenge-for-coronavirus-charity.html?__source=newsletter%7Cmakeit">https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/15/mark-cuban-tom-brady-join-all-in-challenge-for-coronavirus-charity.html?__source=newsletter%7Cmakeit</a> and is republished with its permission.</p>



<p>For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a></p>


Mark Cuban joins ‘All In Challenge’ for COVID-19, raffles one-day NBA contract

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Last year around this time as collaboration between the NBA and FIBA, plans to establish the Basketball Africa League were discussed – fast forward to this past weekend during the NBA AllStar weekend in Chicago, Illinois and the 12 inaugural teams of BAL were officially announced with the season slated to kick off on March 13th in Dakar, Senegal. Michael Mugisha, Analyst of Michael Mugisha Podcast joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


How sport on the continent is growing with official launch of Basketball Africa League

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<p>The NBA is making good on its promise to bring the game to the African continent. The NBA announced in February this year that it will be launching the Basketball Africa League in March 2020. CNBC Africa’s Kopano Gumbi spoke to Deputy Commissioner &#038; Chief Operating Officer of the NBA – Mark Tatum, who explained that they were attending the Africa Investment Forum in Sandton to promote interest in basketball on the continent.</p>


Africa Investment Forum: NBA’s Mark Tatum on the upcoming launch of Basketball Africa League


<p>By Chris Bishop, head of Programming, CNBC Africa</p>



<p>Africa will be the home for the first NBA basketball league outside of the United States, but the question is will investors see it as a slam dunk?</p>



<p>The NBA announced its foray into the continent at the Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg, Tuesday, with an international league among the champions of 12 African nations to start in March. The champions of six nations have qualified so far: Nigeria; Senegal; Egypt; Angola; Morocco and Tunisia. Twelve other African nations will play off for the last six places. The league appears to be funded completely by the NBA but in the long term will have to find money from heavyweight investors. It may be a hard sell in a continent where football is king of the sports dollar.</p>



<p>Ä straw poll among
bankers and foreign investors at the launch at the Sandton Convention Centre
showed how hard a nut to crack investment may be.</p>



<p>“No,” says one
African banker shaking his head.</p>



<p>“Not now but maybe
if the sport grows in the future,” says another African investors.</p>



<p>Basketball has had
a chequered past in Africa when it comes to money. In Angola, there is a
televised league. In Mozambique, along with a number of other Lusophone
countries , it has a big following, but even less money. In Africa’s most industrialised
economy, South Africa, fans follow the NBA but efforts to popularise the sport
have been slow.</p>



<p>Albert Zeufack, the
economist for the World Bank Africa, is a basketball fan who follows the LA
Lakers. He believes tycoons pouring billions into African basketball may not be
as farfetched as it seems. &nbsp;</p>



<p>“I think it is
promising as an investment. The talent Africans bring to the NBA its exploding,
it shows the potential. It is an opportunity for investors to grow training
centres here for new talent and bring hope for the continent,” he says.</p>



<p>Akinwumi Adesina,
the head of the AfDB, said at the launch that he had followed basketball
matches while he studied in the lab at university in the United States. He
encouraged investors to plough billions into the new African league.</p>



<p>“I am very happy
about this launch…Africa has the talent when it comes to basketball. All I ask
is that they change the name from NBA to NBIA to National Basketball Investment
Africa !”he joked. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;{user:chris.bishop@abn360.com}}</p>


Africa’s first NBA basketball league launched, will it be a slam dunk?


<p>By <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/tom-huddleston-jr/">Tom Huddleston Jr.</a></p>



<p>The NBA kicks off a new season on <a class="" href="https://scores.nbcsports.com/nba/preview.asp?g=2019102228">Tuesday night</a> with the defending champion <a class="" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/30/how-much-money-the-winners-of-the-nba-finals-could-take-home.html">Toronto Raptors</a> taking on the New Orleans Pelicans.</p>



<p>That game will feature one of the NBA’s ten highest-paid players — Toronto’s Kyle Lowry — while two more will face off later on Tuesday in Los Angeles when LeBron James and the Lakers tip off their season against Paul George and the Clippers.</p>



<p>The average NBA player salary is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/players.html" class="">$7.7 million</a>&nbsp;for the season that starts on Tuesday and will run through June 2020. That number is up from an average salary of almost $6.4 million for the previous season, according to Basketball Reference.</p>



<p>NBA salaries continue to rise year to year, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/06/stephen-curry-is-the-highest-paid-player-in-the-nba.html" class="">highest-paid player’s</a>&nbsp;earnings are no exception, as the Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry’s earnings for the 2019-2020 season are ticking upward to $40.2 million from $37.5 million for the previous season.</p>



<p>Here are the ten highest-paid NBA players for the league’s new season, starting with Curry, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/rankings/cash/" class="">Spotrac</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Stephen Curry, 31, Golden State Warriors: $40.2 million</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1053195934-594x594.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-348277" width="709" height="499" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1053195934-594x594.jpg 594w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1053195934-594x594-300x211.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1053195934-594x594-100x70.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 100vw, 709px" /><figcaption>OAKLAND, CA &#8211; OCTOBER 24:  Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to the crowd chanting &#8220;MVP&#8221; during their game against the Washington Wizards at ORACLE Arena on October 24, 2018 in Oakland, California. Curry finished the game with 51 points.   NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>The former MVP, who has won three championships with the Warriors since 2015, signed a five-year contract&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/11/steph-currys-money-outlook-helped-him-score-a-200-million-contract.html" class="">worth $201.2 million</a>&nbsp;with the team in 2017. The deal pays Curry an average annual salary of more than $40 million, with the annual value eventually increasing to more than $45 million by 2021.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tied &#8211; 2. Russell Westbrook, 30, Houston Rockets: $38.5 million</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1181957587-594x594.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-348279" width="478" height="717" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1181957587-594x594.jpg 396w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1181957587-594x594-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1181957587-594x594-280x420.jpg 280w" sizes="(max-width: 478px) 100vw, 478px" /><figcaption>MIAMI, FLORIDA &#8211; OCTOBER 18:  Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets in action against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on October 18, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Houston acquired Westbrook in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder in July. The All-Star guard had previously signed a five-year, $206.8 million contract extension with his previous team in 2017 that leaves him tied for the second-best annual salary in 2019 behind Curry, according to Spotrac.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tied &#8211; 2. Chris Paul, 34, Oklahoma City Thunder: $38.5 million</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="594" height="396" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-698880584-594x594.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-348280" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-698880584-594x594.jpg 594w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-698880584-594x594-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px" /><figcaption>NEW YORK, NY &#8211; JUNE 20:  Athlete and designer Chris Paul attends the FIVE FOUR x Chris Paul Launch Dinner at Catch on June 20, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for FIVE FOUR)</figcaption></figure>



<p><a class="" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/02/what-houston-rockets-chris-paul-did-with-his-first-big-nba-check.html">Chris Paul</a>&nbsp;finds himself tied with Westbrook for second on the ranking of the NBA’s highest-paid players for the second year in a row. In fact, Paul and Westbrook will switch teams for the new NBA season, as the two players were traded for each other in the mega-deal between Houston and Oklahoma City over the summer. Paul’s four-year, $159.7 million contract expires in 2022.</p>



<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ieWGlA-gysI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tied-4. James Harden, 30, Houston Rockets: $38.2 million</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-494742496-594x594.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-348282" width="710" height="447" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-494742496-594x594.jpg 594w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-494742496-594x594-300x189.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 710px) 100vw, 710px" /><figcaption>HOUSTON, TX &#8211; OCTOBER 28:  James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets calls a play during their game against the Denver Nuggets at the Toyota Center on October 28, 2015 in Houston, Texas.  (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Another former league MVP, Harden is entering his 11th season in the NBA and the first year of a four-year, $171.1 million contract extension he signed with the Rockets in 2017 (the new deal extends a previous contract he signed in 2016 that paid him an average annual salary of $29.5 million).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tied-4. Kevin Durant, 31, Brooklyn Nets: $38.2 million</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-849622772-594x594.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-348284" width="709" height="511" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-849622772-594x594.jpg 594w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-849622772-594x594-300x216.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-849622772-594x594-324x235.jpg 324w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-849622772-594x594-583x420.jpg 583w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 100vw, 709px" /><figcaption>SAN FRANCISCO, CA &#8211; SEPTEMBER 19:  NBA Player and Durant Company/Thirty Five Media Partner Kevin Durant speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2017 at Pier 48 on September 19, 2017 in San Francisco, California.  (Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images for TechCrunch)</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/29/what-kevin-durant-has-learned-about-investing.html" class="">Durant</a>&nbsp;left Golden State to sign a four-year contract worth $164.3 million with the Nets in the 2019 off season despite the fact that he’ll&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/12/kevin-durant-injury-is-changing-the-nba-and-moving-wall-street-stocks.html" class="">miss the entire upcoming season</a>&nbsp;due to a torn Achilles tendon suffered during the 2019 playoffs. He’s set to make over $42 million in the final year of the contract, which expires in 2023.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tied-4. John Wall, 29, Washington Wizards: $38.2 million</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1083516606-594x594.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-348285" width="709" height="473" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1083516606-594x594.jpg 594w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1083516606-594x594-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 100vw, 709px" /><figcaption>WASHINGTON, DC &#8211; DECEMBER 16: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards dribbles against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Capital One Arena on December 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Wall is also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/john-wall-injury-update-wizards-owner-ted-leonsis-says-guard-probably-wont-play-next-season-due-to-torn-achilles/" class="">expected</a>&nbsp;to miss the entire upcoming season due to injury (he also tore an Achilles tendon). Regardless, the Wizards’ All-Star point guard will rank among the league’s highest-paid players for the foreseeable future, thanks to a four-year, $171.1 million contract extension he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/washington-wizards/john-wall-agrees-four-year-extension-wizards" class="">signed in 2017</a>&nbsp;that will eventually pay him more than $47 million annually before it expires in 2023.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. LeBron James, 34, Los Angeles Lakers: $37.4 million</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1066599734-594x594.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-348286" width="710" height="546" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1066599734-594x594.jpg 594w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1066599734-594x594-300x231.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1066599734-594x594-546x420.jpg 546w" sizes="(max-width: 710px) 100vw, 710px" /><figcaption>LOS ANGELES, CA &#8211; NOVEMBER 29:  LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates his three pointer during a 104-96 win over the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center on November 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>The four-time MVP took his talents to the Lakers in 2018, signing a four-year deal worth $153.3 million overall. As&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/02/lakers-deal-will-make-lebron-james-highest-career-earning-nba-player.html" class="">CNBC Make It noted</a>&nbsp;at the time, James will have earned more than $387 million in total salary over his career by the time his current contract expires in 2022, which will give him the highest all-time contract earnings in NBA history.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. Kyle Lowry, 33, Toronto Raptors: $34.9 million</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-952246314-594x594.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-348287" width="710" height="473" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-952246314-594x594.jpg 594w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-952246314-594x594-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 710px) 100vw, 710px" /><figcaption>WASHINGTON, DC &#8211; APRIL 27: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors reacts against the Washington Wizards in the second half during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Lowry and the Raptors are entering the new season fresh off the franchise’s first-ever NBA championship. The veteran point guard will also see his salary jump a few million dollars from&nbsp;<a class="" href="http://www.espn.com/nba/salaries/_/year/2019/seasontype/1">the $31 million</a>&nbsp;he earned in the 2018-2019 season.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">9. Blake Griffin, 30, Detroit Pistons: $34.5 million</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1039562198-594x594.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-348288" width="711" height="474" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1039562198-594x594.jpg 594w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1039562198-594x594-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 711px) 100vw, 711px" /><figcaption>DETROIT, MI &#8211; SEPTEMBER 24: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons poses for a portrait during Media Day at Little Caesars Arena on September 24, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p><a class="" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/26/photos-nba-star-blake-griffin-selling-la-mansion-for-11-million-dollars.html">Griffin</a>&nbsp;was traded from the Clippers to the Detroit Pistons in January 2018, more than a year after he signed a five-year, $171.2 million contract extension that will expire in 2022.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">10. Paul George, 29, Los Angeles Clippers: $33 million</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1177984879-594x594.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-348289" width="711" height="503" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1177984879-594x594.jpg 594w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1177984879-594x594-300x212.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gettyimages-1177984879-594x594-100x70.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 711px) 100vw, 711px" /><figcaption>PLAYA VISTA, CALIFORNIA &#8211; SEPTEMBER 29: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers speaks to the media during the LA Clippers media day at Honey Training Center on September 29, 2019 in Playa Vista, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>The Clippers acquired George in a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder in July, taking on the All-Star’s four-year, $136.9 million contract in the process.</p>



<p>Missing from this list of the 10 best-paid NBA stars are both last season’s MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Clippers’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/10/toronto-raptors-kawhi-leonard-drove-97-chevy-tahoe-94-million-contract.html" class="">Kawhi Leonard</a>, who was crowned the NBA Finals MVP in June after winning a championship with Toronto.</p>



<p>Leonard, 28, just missed cracking the top 10, as he’ll make $32.7 million this season from a new three-year contract (worth $103 million overall) he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/kawhi-leonards-shorter-contract-could-mean-short-reign-clippers" class="">signed</a>&nbsp;with the Clippers in July.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Antetokounmpo will make $25.8 million in the upcoming season (making him just the 41st highest-paid player in the NBA, according to&nbsp;<a class="" href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/rankings/cash/">Spotrac</a>) as part of a four-year, $100 million extension he signed with Milwaukee in 2016. He’ll be a free agent in 2021, and Antetokounmpo is already&nbsp;<a class="" href="https://www.si.com/nba/2019/07/01/knicks-free-agency-failures-2021-cap-space-giannis-antetokounmpo">expected to be highly sought after</a>&nbsp;and could land a new deal that would make him among the league’s highest-paid players.</p>



<p>This article first appeared on CNBC <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/22/highest-paid-players-in-the-nba-right-now.html">https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/22/highest-paid-players-in-the-nba-right-now.html</a> and is republished with its permission.</p>


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